Hunterdon County Polytech announces Nancy Klein as 'Teacher of the Year'

Hunterdon County Polytech announces âTeacher of the Yearâ Nancy Klein

Nancy Klein has been selected as Polytech’s 2014 Teacher of the Year. Klein is the Special Education teacher for the Career Exploration and Office Skills Program at Polytech and is valued for her commitment to the students and the school.

Nancy Klein is a 1976 graduate of Douglass College with a degree in social studies. Her career started in education, teaching for a short time in Middlesex County. She then moved into the corporate world working at O. Berk Co., a packaging company, for nine years. She took time off to raise her two small children and even ran an antiques business for 14 years. Through all of this she was still active in her true passion, education, by participating in 2002 in the Strategic Planning Committee for the North Hunterdon -Voorhees Regional High School District, various PTA committees, teaching CCD and Vacation Bible School, and assisting in school board elections.

In 2005, Klein went “back to school” as a substitute teacher at North Hunterdon High School. Working in the Special Education Department sparked her interest in special education. She then moved on to work at Montgomery Academy where she taught History, English, and a post graduate life skills program for five years. Montgomery Academy is a private school in Basking Ridge for individuals with social, emotional and educational challenges. In 2011 she received her certification as a Special Education Teacher of Students with Disabilities from Rutgers Graduate School of Education.

Although not looking to move on, she responded to an employment ad for Hunterdon County Polytech and found her place as the Special Education instructor. She is also the in-class support for Automotive Services, Construction, and occasionally, Culinary Arts where she gives teachers assistance in customizing instruction and making modifications as necessary. Klein credits superintendent, Dr. Kimberly Metz and Principal Dan Kerr with allowing her to create the current program which has doubled in size since she started.

“Mrs. Klein has an excellent rapport with her students. She shows a sincere interest in them as individuals and goes out of her way to ensure they understand concepts and topics,” said Principal, Dan Kerr.

“I have worked very closely with Mrs. Klein for the past few years and have a tremendous amount of respect for her work ethic, enthusiasm, and dedication to student success,” said Supervisor of Curriculum & Instruction, Jessica Cangelosi.

“Nancy has become a huge asset to our district and is always more than willing to lend a helping hand the staff and students of HCP,” said animal technologies instructor, Taryn Romanczak.

The Career Explorations and Office Skills program offers life, social and employment skills, as well as the tools and resources necessary for students to gain competitive employment. It is the focus on social skills that Klein feels is the foundation for all other skills. She is very proud of her students and they only have great things to say about her.

“Mrs. Klein has been very helpful to me in reaching my goals. She has helped me realize the type of job I want to have,” said Lexi Z.

“Mrs. Klein is a helpful and caring teacher. I like her class and the opportunities it gives to try different things, like culinary and office skills,” said Bianca H.

“I think Career Explorations is cool. Mrs. Klein is so helpful and has a nice sense of humor that makes me feel comfortable in class,” said Scott H.

“It’s a great idea (the class). Showing kids the skills they need to move on to the next step in life. Mrs. Klein helps us stay on topic but is flexible enough to let us be ourselves,” said Kyle D.

Klein has been a resident of Hunterdon County for 28 years and has a grown son and daughter and three grand- dogs. She resides in Pittstown with her husband of 36 years, Kevin, two dogs, two cats, and a pond full of fish.